The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has officially notified the International Cricket Council (ICC) that India will not send its cricket team to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy. According to sources, this decision came after the BCCI received guidance from the Indian government advising against travel to Pakistan.
The Champions Trophy is set to take place from February 19 to March 9, 2025, at three different locations across Pakistan. However, with India opting out, the ICC and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will need to activate alternative plans, potentially involving a hybrid model that allows teams to rotate between Pakistan and another hosting location.
Implementing such a hybrid model might not be easy, as PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi dismissed the idea during a recent press conference, stating that there had been no discussions surrounding it. Nevertheless, ESPNcricinfo reports that the PCB had prepared various contingency options months in advance for this situation. Among the potential venues for Champions Trophy, the United Arab Emirates is favored due to its geographical closeness to Pakistan, with Sri Lanka also being a candidate.
Earlier this week, the ICC was informed of the BCCI’s stance. However, it remains unclear whether this communication was made verbally or in writing. The ICC may seek a formal written statement from the BCCI before relaying the information to the PCB. Naqvi emphasized the importance of receiving an official objection from the BCCI, which he would then discuss with his government before making any final ruling on the matter.
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Naqvi’s remarks on the hybrid model have shifted, displaying a firmer position than in previous dialogues. He mentioned the favorable gestures made by the PCB, including sending the national team to India for the 2023 ODI World Cup, while referencing India’s refusal to travel for the recent Asia Cup.
That event ultimately adopted a hybrid model, with its latter stages taking place in Sri Lanka. Moving forward, any future Pakistani travel to India will hinge on governmental approval.
The 2025 Champions Trophy will feature eight competing teams, set into two groups of four, followed by semi-finals and a final. The participating nations include Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and South Africa.
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As the event nears, with only 100 days to go until it commences, plans for the schedule and ticketing are still forthcoming. Additionally, an upcoming event in Lahore to announce the schedule might be postponed due to these recent developments.
India’s absence from Pakistani soil since the 2008 Asia Cup, amid strained diplomatic relations, underscores the complexities surrounding this much-anticipated Champions Trophy.